This collection contains papers relating to Quekett's work as Conservator of the Hunterian Museum at the Royal College of Surgeons of England, comprising diaries, 1840-1848 [not 1843 or 1846], which include references to prominent microscopists of the time, such as Carpenter, West, Ross, Sowerby, and Smith of Smith and Beck; notebook, containing some sketches and including notes on experiments on frogs, 1841; ?draft catalogues of the Histological Series in the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, and catalogue of Pathology, [c1840-1860]; catalogue of Hewson's Preparations, [c1840-1860]; unpublished part of Quekett's catalogue of histological series; Lectures on Histology delivered at the Royal College of Surgeons 1852-1854 with annotations by Quekett; notes for lectures on histology delivered in the session 1852-1853, on the structure on the skeleton of vertebrate animals, with original drawings; 2 sheafs of notes on phrenology and ethnography, sent to Quekett by G Russell and another [previous reference 275.h.4].

Extent

7.5 boxes

Language

English

Conditions governing access

Open to researchers by written appointment.

Admin./ biographical history

John Thomas Quekett was born in Langport, Somerset, 1815. He was educated by his father and gained an interest in microscopes early in life. At sixteen he gave a course of lectures to the pupils of his school. He was apprenticed to a surgeon at Langport before moving to London as apprentice to his brother Edwin (1808-1847). He was a student at the London Hospital Medical College, and at Kings College.
The Royal Microscopical Society was founded in 1839, as the Microscopical Society of London, in the house of Edwin Quekett - John Quekett was Secretary, 1841-1860. The Quekett Microscopic Club was later named in John's honour, 1865. He qualified in 1840 and won a three year Studentship in Human and Comparative Anatomy at the Royal College of Surgeons. He was appointed Assistant Conservator of the Hunterian Museum, Royal College of Surgeons of England, in 1843, and became Demonstrator of Minute Anatomy, 1844-1852. He was then appointed Conservator of the Hunterian Museum, when Richard Owen was appointed to the British Museum, in 1856. The College purchased his collection of 2,500 microscopical preparations in 1846. He was later Professor in Histology at the Royal College of Surgeons, 1852, and gave some instruction to Prince Albert on the use of his microscope. He was elected to fellowship of the Linnean Society, 1857 and of the Royal Society, 1860.
In 1846 Quekett married Isabella Scott (died 1872) and they had four children. He died at Pangbourne, Berkshire, in 1861. After his death his possessions, including microscopes and other scientific equipment, were auctioned. The College of Surgeons of England paid an annuity to his widow and a fund was set up to assist his family.
His publications included: A Practical Treatise on the Use of the Microscope (London, 1848); Descriptive and illustrated catalogue of the Histological Series contained in the Museum of the Royal College, etc. Vol. 1. Elementary tissues of vegetables and animals [By J T Duckett] (London, 1850); Lectures on Histology ... Elementary Tissues of Plants and Animals ... Illustrated by woodcuts 2 vol (London, 1852-54); Lectures of Histology Vol 11 structure of the skeleton of plants and invertebrate animals (Bailliere 1854).